Hasta La Gadget!

What’s this, a rollout hitting as planned? Believe it or not, the leaked memo we spotted a few days back has now proven true, with Microsoft’s long-awaited NoDo update (complete with copy-and-paste) being pushed out today for select LG Quantum and Samsung Focus users. The update itself has been looping around for some time, but this marks the first launch of it on AT&T’s airwaves. We’ve confirmed with the carrier that the folks in Redmond are indeed pushing it out as we speak, but there’s no word yet on how long it’ll take for everyone to get served. Let us know how the new build’s treating you in comments below… should you be lucky enough to get it, that is.

[Thanks, Sean]

Update: Microsoft also confirms this rollout, and says that the update is currently being tested on the HTC Surround. Thanks, Jeff G.!

Update 2: In case the upload speed is restricted on your updated Focus, wpcentral has published an easy how-to on reactivating HSUPA. Thanks, zblack!

AT&T affirms: Windows Phone 7 NoDo rollouts start today for Focus and Quantum owners originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looking forward to April 19th? If you just so happen to hold a Windows Phone 7 device on AT&T, you are now. According to a leaked memo posted up over at Winrumors, Ma Bell has just wrapped up its testing of the famed NoDo update, and if all goes well, it’ll be pushed to end users on Tuesday. Owners of the LG Quantum and Samsung Focus will see it first, while HTC Surround owners will need to watch this video on loop until “mid-May.” Just think — next week, you’ll be copying and pasting this very article as often as you please. Huzzah!

Update: Microsoft’s Eric Hautala confirms that the LG Quantum and Samsung Focus are getting updates ahead of the Surround — both are “scheduling” now — as the HTC handset requires “additional testing by both Microsoft and AT&T” before it gets pushed out. Also, these AT&T phones will get somethign called “WISPr,” which is a protocol that will automatically connect to AT&T WiFi hotspots in range. Sounds pretty cool.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

AT&T’s Windows Phone 7 NoDo update coming April 19th? (update: ‘scheduling’) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 19:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, well — what have we here? For avid users of Windows Phone 7, you no doubt remember the hubbub last year surrounding the so-called difficulties with Microsoft’s latest and greatest mobile OS accepting microSD cards. We’d been pounded with news of “WP7 certified microSD cards,” but even now, they’re more ghost than reality. That said, it looks as if the tables are turning, with an nondescript AT&T store grabbing fresh stock of “certified” 8GB Class 4 microSDHC cards. Based on the packaging, it’s fairly clear that Microsoft’s taking the lead here, but SanDisk has been knighted to provide the hardware. $32 will soon get you a card that doesn’t destroy itself upon insertion in your Samsung Focus, and we’re guessing that they’ll be available to purchase sooner rather than later. So, you sizing up, or what?

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Windows Phone 7-certified microSD cards emerge at AT&T stores: $32 for 8GB originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 16:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The minimum specs for Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7 OS have taken a nice bump upwards, it has been revealed at this year’s MIX. Current WP7 handsets are all running the Qualcomm MSM8x50 Snapdragon, the original 1GHz chip with Adreno 200 graphics, but Microsoft has now upgraded the requirement to Qualcomm’s second-gen part, the MSM8x55 and the more powerful Adreno 205 GPU. That’s already seen widespread adoption among devices like the HTC Thunderbolt and Xperia Play, but Microsoft isn’t content with just one option and is also throwing in Qualcomm’s MSM7x30, a fine multimedia performer that’s already hit the market inside the T-Mobile G2. The latter part also comes with Adreno 205, making it a constant of future Windows Phone devices, while the option to include a gyroscope has also been provisioned for. Video of the MIX 11 session explaining these tweaks and much more about WP7 architecture can be found after the break.

Continue reading Microsoft’s latest WP7 chassis spec includes second-gen Snapdragon, optional gyroscope

Microsoft’s latest WP7 chassis spec includes second-gen Snapdragon, optional gyroscope originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You heard right — Skype just went from “nowhere near” Windows Phone 7, to “on the roadmap,” to “definitely coming this fall.” That last tidbit is courtesy of Microsoft’s own Joe Belfiore, stating that “Skype will be coming to the Windows Phone 7 platform this fall” while speaking live at MIX 11. We hesitate to act surprised, but given the prior reports that it may be a pipe dream, we’re most certainly breathing a bit easier hearing this. Now, if only a WP7 phone would ship with a legitimate front-facing camera…

Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore confirms: Skype coming to Windows Phone 7 ‘this fall’ originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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